Iloilo Capitol to host gab on Visayan Sea protection
The Iloilo provincial government will hold a summit on the preservation of the Visayan Sea on December 7 at the Provincial Capitol building.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said the summit is an offshoot of the Declaration of Commitment and Action Plan on the Visayan Sea signed by four governors, including him, last November 20 in Sagay City.
Other signatories Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, Rizalina Seachon Lanete of Masbate, and Alfredo Maranon, Jr. of Negros Occidental.
In the declaration of commitment, the governors resolved to use their collective powers and resources to restore and conserve the marine resources of the Visayan Marine Triangle, beginning with the Visayan Sea.
They expressed that “realizing that after decades of abuse and neglect, the marine resources of the Visayan Sea have been severely degraded and are now on the brink of collapse.”
The governors also vowed that before their terms end in 2013, they will take the necessary steps to begin the declaration and inscription of the Visayan Sea in the list of the United Nations World Heritage Site for its unparalleled marine wealth.
Those who will attend the summit are representatives of the Philippine National Police, Maritime Command, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Government Coastal Resource Management and non-government organizations and mayors of coastal towns.
The participants will draw up a strategic plan to protect the Visayan Sea.*PNA
